American Rescue Plan Education Funding Guide
The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund may be used to address the many impacts of COVID-19 on pre-K through 12th grade education.
How much funding is included?
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$122 billion for K-12 schools, provided via the ESSER fund
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$800 million reserved for providing services and assistance to homeless youth
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$2.75 billion for non-public schools
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$3 billion in additional FY21 funding toward Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
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$7 billion to support the federal E-rate program via the Emergency Connectivity Fund
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$39.6 billion for higher education institutions, provided via the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) fund
Any guidelines?
Local education agencies are required to set aside at least 20% of the funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions that respond to the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Remaining funds may be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
Funding includes three state-level reservations for activities and interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on under-represented students.
Special funding reservations
5% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed specifically at addressing learning loss, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs.
1% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for summer enrichment programs.
1% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for comprehensive after-school programs.
Tip:
The U.S. Department of Education identified the following under-represented subgroups in its American Rescue Plan Fact Sheet:
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Students from each major racial and ethnic group
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Children from low-income families
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Children with disabilities
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English learners
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Migrant students
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Students experiencing homelessness
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Children and youth in foster care
How can districts use the funds?
Schools can use the funds for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the pandemic, including:
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Purchasing educational technology, including hardware, software, connectivity, and adaptive equipment to support instruction
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Investing in resources to ensure connectivity for students who are learning online, such as Wi-Fi hot spots and devices
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Providing mental health services and supports to students and staff
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Implementing summer learning, after-school, and other supplemental programs
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Hiring additional school staff, including counselors, nurses, and custodial staff
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Coordinating preparedness and response efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19
Can American Rescue Plan funds be used to purchase SpringMath?
Yes! SpringMath is an evidence-based math intervention program that is proven to decrease the performance gap and produce equitable achievement.
With SpringMath, educators can:
- Assess students’ current skill level in five minutes (or less)
- Review summarized results in an easy-to-read format
- Access classwide and individual math interventions
- Monitor progress and adapt support based on students’ needs
Sources:
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/03/FINAL_ARP-ESSER-FACT-SHEET.pdf
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/05/ESSER.GEER_.FAQs_5.26.21_745AM_FINALb0cd6833f6f46e03ba2d97d30aff953260028045f9ef3b18ea602db4b32b1d99.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/arp/index.html
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-372069A1.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/04/ARP-ESSER-State-Plan-Template-04-20-2021_130PM.pdf